Lake County Board candidate removed from ballot

Ruling overturns decision by Lake County Electoral Board to allow Juan Beto Ruiz to remain on the ballot

Published on Mar. 5, 2026

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Juan Beto Ruiz, a candidate for the Lake County Board District 16 seat, will be removed from the ballot less than two weeks before the primary election. The court's decision overruled a previous ruling by the Lake County Electoral Board that had allowed Ruiz to remain on the ballot despite a challenge to his nomination papers.

Why it matters

This case highlights the complex legal and procedural issues surrounding ballot access in local elections. The removal of a candidate from the ballot so close to an election raises concerns about voter choice and the fairness of the electoral process.

The details

The court ruled that Ruiz failed to properly include his full legal name, "Juan Roberto Ruiz Reynoso," on his nominating petitions, as required by the Election Code. The objectors argued this omission prevented voters from fully vetting Ruiz's background. The Lake County Electoral Board had previously ruled that Ruiz "substantially complied" with the code, but the court found this was not the appropriate standard.

  • The Lake County Electoral Board voted 2-1 in November to allow Ruiz to remain on the ballot, despite the challenge.
  • The court's decision to remove Ruiz from the ballot came less than two weeks before the primary election.

The players

Juan Beto Ruiz

A political newcomer running in the Democratic primary for the Lake County Board District 16 seat, challenging incumbent Esiah Campos.

Esiah Campos

The incumbent Lake County Board District 16 representative, who was running against Ruiz in the Democratic primary.

Anthony Vega

The Lake County Clerk, who chaired the Lake County Electoral Board that initially ruled in favor of allowing Ruiz to remain on the ballot.

Travis Haley

A Round Lake-area resident and Round Lake Area Public Library Board trustee who challenged Ruiz's nomination papers.

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What they’re saying

“At its core, this situation appears to be an attempt to avoid a fair and competitive race and to prevent voters from having the opportunity to decide the outcome themselves.”

— Juan Beto Ruiz (chicagotribune.com)

“If you can't do that, how can you be an effective steward as an elected official?”

— Esiah Campos, Incumbent Lake County Board District 16 representative (chicagotribune.com)

What’s next

The case is still subject to potential appeal, though it is unlikely to be resolved before the election. Voters are urged to research candidates thoroughly to ensure they are casting ballots for valid candidates.

The takeaway

This case highlights the complex legal and procedural issues surrounding ballot access, and the potential for challenges to disenfranchise voters by removing candidates from the ballot close to an election. It raises questions about the balance between upholding electoral integrity and preserving voter choice.